Hockey Operations

Ben Simon

Assistant Coach

Ben Simon is in his second season as the assistant coach for the Rockford IceHogs and second campaign as a full-time coach. Simon’s playing and coaching career overlapped during the 2010-11 season when the former center served as a player/head coach for the Sheffield Steelers (EIHL), leading the club to the Elite Ice Hockey League regular season title and in scoring. The Steelers reached the Semifinals of the EIHL playoffs before falling in overtime to the eventual champion Nottingham Panthers.

The Shaker Heights, Ohio native’s playing career spanned 11 seasons and he appeared in 770 career professional games. Simon skated in 81 games in the National Hockey League between the Atlanta Thrashers and Columbus Blue Jackets. He also appeared in 481 career AHL regular season games and 62 Calder Cup Playoff tilts. Simon’s most recent AHL season came during the 2009-10 campaign when he played in 44 contests with the Toronto Marlies.

A draft pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fifth round (#110 overall) of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, Simon’s resume includes a pair of championships. The center was a member of 2001 Turner Cup Champion Orlando Solar Bears as a rookie when they beat the Chicago Wolves in the Finals. Then the very next season as a member of the Wolves in 2002, Simon earned his second league championship when he helped Chicago to the Calder Cup Championship over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Before his professional playing days, Simon skated four seasons at the University of Notre Dame. With the Fighting Irish, Simon totaled 44g-86a-130pts in 144 career games. Simon’s top season came during his junior year in 1998-99 when he led Notre Dame with a career high 18 goals and 42 points.